Political Quotes

“I rise at this moment for the House to appropriately acknowledge the life and legacy, the truly extraordinary leadership, of President Nelson Mandela who has passed on to history now but who, during his 95 years, played an extraordinary role in the life of his country and his countrymen. And this Congress played a part in that process through the debates on this floor and through, finally, the passage of sanctions and then, even more so, by overriding the Presidential veto and putting into place sanctions that President Mandela indicated and all recognized played an important role in ending apartheid in South Africa. There are Members who are no longer Members of the House, some of whom have even passed on themselves. There was Congressman Bill Gray from Philadelphia, who authored the sanctions legislation; Congressman Dellums, who had previously authored and fought side by side; and many members of the Congressional Black Caucus and others, Democrats and Republicans, on the floor of this House who were involved in this activity. I rise for this Special Order to appropriately pay tribute to the leadership that was exhibited by President Mandela and his African National Congress. I am going to yield to Members for an opportunity for them to reflect on the life of President Mandela.…”